Michigan State University’s Innovation Center hosted the highly anticipated 2025 Innovation Celebration on April 1 at the Kellogg Center, honoring the trailblazers advancing research, entrepreneurship, and economic development in the region and beyond.
With more than 460 attendees, the annual event showcased 31 exhibits highlighting cutting-edge research, transformative technologies, and bold startup ventures developed by MSU faculty, students, and partners. Attendees explored a diverse array of innovations — from AI-driven genomics platforms and sustainable agriculture models to next-generation battery research and quantum computing hardware.
Charles Hasemann, associate vice president for Innovation and Economic Development at MSU, opened the evening with remarks that emphasized the university’s dedication to fueling discovery and impact through cross-disciplinary collaboration and real-world application.
“This celebration is more than an awards night,” Hasemann said. “It’s an opportunity to recognize the entire community of partners that it takes to translate raw university innovations into new products or services that impact the residents of Michigan and the world. It’s a glimpse into the future we’re building together — where research drives change, and innovation empowers communities.”
The event’s highlight was the awards ceremony, honoring standout contributors in MSU’s innovation ecosystem:
- Innovation of the Year: Tamara Reid Bush and Justin Scott for Sit Sense, a patented repositioning chair designed to combat hospital-acquired pressure sores.
- Innovator of the Year: André Bachmann for advancing treatment of rare genetic disorders and pediatric cancer through repurposed therapeutics like DFMO.
- Technology Transfer Achievement Award: Bruno Basso for his GeoYields technology powering sustainable farming practices through the startup CIBO Technologies.
- Corporate Connector of the Year: Chengcheng Fang for pioneering partnerships with GM and Ford to develop the next generation of EV battery technologies.
- Startup of the Year: EeroQ, an MSU startup redefining quantum computing using electrons on superfluid helium.
- Student Startup of the Year: BRCĒ, founded by MSU students Madhav Aggarwal and Tanvi Gadamsetti, whose innovative performance shoelaces and braces are gaining national recognition.
Guests also enjoyed networking, refreshments, and hands-on interaction with innovative demonstrations from faculty researchers, student entrepreneurs and university partners, including the MSU Science Festival, MSU Research Foundation and the Lansing Economic Area Partnership.
This year’s Innovation Celebration was held as part of the inaugural 517 Entrepreneurship and Innovation Week — a regional collaboration celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit and groundbreaking innovation across the Lansing area. The weeklong initiative brought together universities, startups, industry leaders, and community organizations to spotlight local talent, support new ventures, and cultivate a thriving innovation ecosystem in mid-Michigan. MSU’s celebration served as a cornerstone event, highlighting the university’s pivotal role in driving economic development and discovery in the region.
This story originally appeared on the Innovation Center website.
